How to vote in Whistler

Voting is easier than you think. I've put everything you need on one page.

Saturday, October 17

Doors open 8 a.m. Last vote 8 p.m.

Myrtle Philip Community School

6195 Lorimer Rd, Whistler, BC

Never voted before? You can still vote.

You don't need to sign up ahead of time. You sign up at the voting place, in the same visit.

Bring 2 pieces of ID with your name. One must have your signature. If neither shows your Whistler address, you sign a short form saying where you live.

Example: a BC driver's licence plus a utility bill.

See all the ID that counts

Can't make it on the 17th? Vote early on Saturday, October 10, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Whistler Public Library. Details

How it works

Walk in. Follow the signs. Ask any election worker if you get lost.
Say your name. On the voters list? You just sign. Not on it? Show your 2 pieces of ID and sign up right there.
Mark your ballot. You do it alone, behind a screen. Pick 1 mayor and up to 6 councillors.
Feed it into the machine. It counts your vote. You're done.

What to bring

Are you on the voters list?

On the voters list

Bring nothing

Just give your name and sign. You don't need ID or a voter card.

If you're on B.C.'s voters list at your Whistler address, you're on it.

Not sure which you are? Bring 2 pieces of ID anyway. Or call the election office before you go: 604-932-5535.

Not on the list

Bring 2 pieces of ID

You sign up at the voting place, then vote. Bring 2 pieces of ID with your name. One must have your signature.

Example: a BC driver's licence plus a utility bill.

No Whistler address on your ID? That's fine. You sign a short form saying where you live in Whistler.

Which ID counts

BC driver's licence
BC ID card
BC Services Card, with or without a photo
CareCard or Gold CareCard
Indian status card
First Nation citizenship or membership card
Métis Nation BC citizenship card
Social Insurance Number card or letter
Canadian citizenship card
ICBC vehicle insurance papers
Property tax notice
A credit or debit card from a bank or credit union
A hydro, gas, water, phone or cable bill
Income assistance form SDES8

Bring the real card or paper. A photo on your phone may not be accepted.

A driver's licence joined with a BC Services Card counts as 1 piece, not 2.

Passport? Staff may accept it, but it's not on the official list. Bring something else too.

Own property here but live elsewhere? Hard to get there? See your situation.

Questions? Call the election office

Whistler Municipal Hall runs the vote.

604-932-5535

Email: election@whistler.ca

On the day, ask any election worker. If you need extra help, say so when you arrive.

Where to go

Myrtle Philip Community School from the road, with the main entrance under the green roof — **Election day, Oct 17:** Myrtle Philip Community School. Follow the signs from the entrance. Image: Google Street View.

6195 Lorimer Rd, Whistler, BC

Get directions

Getting there

Bus

Take Route 6 Tapley's/Blueberry. Get off at the Myrtle Philip School stop. It runs every 30 minutes or so, 7 days a week.

Fare: $2.75, or $5.50 for a day pass. Kids 12 and under ride free.

Route 6 times

Taxi

Whistler Resort Cabs

604-938-1515

Evo e-bike

Evo's Evolve e-bikes run in Whistler from spring to fall. Unlock one with the Evo app and ride.

The app map shows where bikes are and where you can park them.

iPhone app Android app

How Evolve works

Drive or walk

Parking at the school can fill up, so the bus is easier. You can also walk from the village on the Valley Trail.

Both voting places are wheelchair accessible, with automatic door openers. Every Whistler bus is accessible too.

What the ballot looks like

It's one paper ballot with two lists of names.

Mayor: 4 names. Pick 1.
Council: 17 names. Pick up to 6.

Mark the space beside each name you choose. Follow the short instruction printed on the ballot. You can pick fewer than 6 councillors. Never pick more than 6. If you do, your council votes won't count. Your mayor vote still counts.

Looking for Tina? Find Tina James in the council list.

Find your situation

Tap the one that fits you.

I'm 18 and I've never voted

You can vote if you're 18 by October 17. You must be a Canadian citizen. You must have lived in B.C. for 6 months and live in Whistler now.

You don't need to own a home. Renters vote too. If Whistler is where you live now, you count.

Here for a season? Whistler counts as home if it's the place you come back to. Away at school? You can pick home or your school town.

You're probably not on the list yet. That's fine. Bring 2 pieces of ID and sign up when you vote. What counts as ID

It's hard for me to get there

Vote by mail. Fill in the mail ballot form. It must reach the town by 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 13. Email it or drop it off at Municipal Hall, since mail may be too slow. To get the form, call 604-932-5535 or email election@whistler.ca. You don't need a reason.

They can mail your ballot to you, or you can pick it up at Municipal Hall. Mail can be slow, so picking it up is safer. Your ballot must reach Municipal Hall by 8 p.m. on October 17.

It's too late to ask for a mail ballot. Call 604-932-5535 and ask what help they can give.

Coming in person? Every Whistler bus is accessible. Both voting places have ramps and automatic doors. Tell a worker when you arrive and they'll help you first.

Can't mark the ballot yourself because of a disability or trouble reading? Someone you trust can help. They sign a short form first. Candidates and their agents can't help.

Can get there but can't get inside because of a disability or trouble walking? Ask a worker to bring the ballot out to you. This is called curb-side voting.

I own a home here but live elsewhere in B.C.

You can vote here as a property owner. You must be a Canadian citizen and 18 or older. You must have lived in B.C. for 6 months and owned the property for 30 days.

Bring 2 pieces of ID, one signed. Bring proof you own the property, like a land title or property tax notice. Own it with others? Most of the owners, counting you, must agree in writing. Only one owner per property can vote.

You can vote here and where you live. You get one vote in each town.

Own more than one place in Whistler? You still get one vote here. Owned through a company or trust, even partly? Then it doesn't count.

In town this weekend? Vote early on Saturday, October 10, at the library.

In town on October 17? Vote at the school like anyone else.

Not in town? Vote by mail. Email the mail ballot form to election@whistler.ca by 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 13. To get the form, call 604-932-5535.

I'll be away on October 17

Vote early on Saturday, October 10, at the library. Details

Or vote by mail. Email the mail ballot form to election@whistler.ca by 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 13. To get the form, call 604-932-5535.

Early voting and mail ballots have closed. Call 604-932-5535 to ask about your options.

I own a home here but live outside B.C.

Sorry, you can't vote in Whistler. Every voter must have lived in B.C. for 6 months.

Quick answers

Can I vote?

Yes, if you're a Canadian citizen and 18 or older. You must have lived in B.C. for 6 months and live in Whistler now.

Own a home here but live elsewhere in B.C.? You can vote too. See how.

Does my ID need my Whistler address?

No. If it doesn't show where you live, you sign a short form saying where you live in Whistler.

I have a second home in Whistler. Can I vote here and at home?

Yes, if you live elsewhere in B.C. You vote once where you live and once here, as a property owner. See what to bring.

I'm not registered. Is it too late?

No. You can sign up when you vote. Just bring 2 pieces of ID. See what counts.

Do I need my voter card?

No. If you're on the list, you just give your name and sign.

How long will it take?

Not long for most people. Earlier in the day is usually quieter.

I made a mistake on my ballot.

Don't put it in the machine. Hand it to a worker and ask for a new one.

Do I have to pick 6 councillors?

No. Pick as many as you like, up to 6.

I need help marking my ballot.

Ask an election worker, or bring someone you trust. They sign a short form first. This help is for people with a disability or trouble reading or writing. Candidates and their agents can't help. You can also ask for help as soon as you arrive.

I asked for a mail ballot. Can I still vote in person?

Yes, but bring your whole mail ballot package with you on October 17.

I'm voting by mail. When is it due?

It must reach Municipal Hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, by 8 p.m. on October 17. Late ballots can't be counted. If it's close, drop it off yourself.

Is my vote secret?

Yes. You mark it alone behind a screen. Nobody sees who you picked.

Can I show ID on my phone?

Bring the real card or paper. The official list doesn't mention phone copies. If phone ID is all you have, call 604-932-5535 first.

I need a translator.

You can bring one. They sign a short form promising to translate truly.

I'm First Nations. What do I need to know?

Your status card counts as ID. So does a First Nation citizenship or membership card, or a Métis Nation BC card.

Live on a reserve? Whether you vote for Whistler council depends on where the reserve is. Call 604-932-5535 to check.

Can I vote online or by phone?

No. You vote in person or by mail.

Isn't there a provincial election too?

Yes, on October 24. It's a separate election with different ID rules. This page is only for Whistler's vote on October 17.

Vote early instead

Saturday, October 10

8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Whistler Public Library

4329 Main St, Whistler, BC

Same steps, same ID rules.